Leading by example – Mo Bobat heaps praise on Rajat Patidar’s “special knock” against GT
Rajat Patidar has already registered his best numbers in a single IPL, having smashed 486 runs from just 14 games at a stunning strike rate of 196.76.
Against Gujarat Titans in Qualifier 1, Patidar smashed 93* from just 33 balls, rocking five fours and nine sixes while smashing the ball at 281.82.
RCB’s Director of Cricket, Mo Bobat, believes that this is just the beginning of something iconic from the RCB skipper. Highlighting the very special knock of Patidar at the post-match presser, Bobat heaped unreserved laurels.
Bobat said, “He's certainly batting brilliantly right now and has done throughout the competition. That was a really special knock today and I'm sure he'll be really pleased to have stood up in a big qualifier.Any team whose captain is playing well gets greater confidence from that. We're becoming accustomed to seeing these sorts of knocks from him now. He played some outrageous shots, but also really the aggressive intent… that's leading by example."
Highlighting Patidar’s ability to play spin and pace both in the same vein of dominance, Bobat added, “I remember at some point last season I called him a spin-basher and I think he got a bit annoyed with me because I was implying it was only spin. He's worked incredibly hard on his game with both DK [Dinesh Karthik] and Andy [Flower].”
He further stated, “One thing about Rajat is he middles the ball a lot. Whether it's pace or spin, front foot or back foot, the ball hits the middle of his bat quite often. That's usually a very good sign. He's got really sound basics and a fearless intent. We've tried hard over the last couple of years to make that the identity of our team."
He also shed some light on Patidar’s ability to read the situation and adapt accordingly. Bobat said, “One of the things he's done really well this year is picking his moments. I remember the game against Rajasthan Royals (RR) earlier in the season when we lost early wickets. He absorbed pressure initially and then went through the gears. That takes real discipline and sophistication in your thinking.”
Linking that calibre of his to making the most of the situation against GT where RCB had to get through treacherous waters, losing Virat Kohli and Devdutt Padikkal in the same over, Bobat stated, “Today was similar. After a good start from the top three, we lost a couple of wickets and he recognised that there was a moment for a mini rebuild before accelerating again. That ability to read situations and conditions, knowing when to go to top gear and when to drop down one, has been the really impressive part of his development."
